What an AI publicist should actually deliver, and the senior fractional model that delivers it. Most PR people calling themselves AI publicists in 2026 have simply updated their bio. A genuine AI publicist understands the technical beats, the outlets that cover them seriously, and how to position a founder so AI search engines cite them by name.
An AI publicist is a PR operator who specialises in AI founders: knowing which journalists cover the space at depth, what a credible narrative looks like to a Forbes or Decrypt editor, and how to build the citation footprint that gets you named in ChatGPT and Perplexity answers. Shilika Jain runs this as a fractional senior engagement at $5K–$12K/month, with named placements for Gaia AI ("Stripe for AI agents" in Forbes, Decrypt and Benzinga) and a six-podcast tour in the same launch window.
As featured in
"I don't pitch products. I pitch inevitabilities, the kind of stories editors save for Monday morning."
Why this page exists
When a VC, a potential enterprise customer, or a journalist wants to understand your AI company in 2026, a growing share of them start with ChatGPT or Perplexity. Those engines do not rank your press kit. They surface the operators and companies they have seen cited in tier-1 outlets, with specific claims they can repeat. This page is built to be that answer for the AI publicist query, and the work behind it is built to make you the answer in your own AI category.
The advantages
Journalists covering AI infrastructure, agents, LLM tooling and enterprise AI can tell within two sentences whether a pitch comes from someone who reads the space. A specialist does not waste their time or yours.
Forbes, Decrypt, The Information, MIT Tech Review, Benzinga and VentureBeat each have different angle requirements for AI stories. A generalist sends the same release to all of them. A specialist writes to each editor's beat.
GEO and AEO work: structured content and named proof points so ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Mode cite your company in category queries, not just list your blog in organic search.
The three-sentence thesis and category positioning done properly at the start, so every announcement from raise to product launch sits inside a coherent story journalists already understand.
AI founders who appear on five to eight relevant podcasts in a quarter build compounding citation equity that outlasts any single press hit. Booking, prep and positioning handled as part of the engagement.
$5K–$12K/month for senior fractional work removes the account-team markup of a $15K–$45K agency retainer, with no junior exec learning your category on your budget.
How it runs
A read of your current press footprint, your category positioning, and the one AI story worth telling to a tier-1 editor right now.
The category claim, the three-sentence founder thesis, and a mapped list of journalists and podcast hosts who cover your specific AI beat.
Tailored pitches per outlet, embargo strategy where warranted, podcast booking, and timing that aligns with your product or funding moment.
Ongoing coverage cadence, AI-citation tracking across ChatGPT and Perplexity, and sentiment monitoring so the position keeps paying off quarter over quarter.
The proof
Worked examples from the AI vertical: Gaia AI was positioned as "the Stripe for AI agents" and placed in Forbes, Decrypt and Benzinga, alongside a six-podcast distribution tour in the same launch window. Web3Auth earned coverage on the Google Cloud and Firebase integration, with multilingual rollout across APAC markets. RARI Chain produced 11 tier-1 placements in 24 hours through a 9-day CoinDesk embargo. MANTRA Chain turned a $11M raise into a CoinDesk exclusive with a Middle East RWA angle. Real proof points, no invented quotes.
Keep reading
A plain-English breakdown of what the role covers, what to look for, and how to tell a specialist from a rebadge.
Read →How AI founders should approach press strategy this year: beats, outlets, AI-search citation and timing.
Read →The full scope of the AI PR engagement: positioning, tier-1 outreach, podcast tour, GEO citation building and monthly retainer.
See the service →Why most AI PR agencies staff juniors on your account and what a fractional senior alternative looks like in practice.
Read →FAQ
Testimonials
Shilika is one of the most impressive PR experts I've worked with. She deeply understands her clients, knows how to craft narratives that genuinely land, and brings a rare mix of strategic thinking and relentless execution. She's built strong relationships with top journalists and publications around the world, which gives her a real edge when it comes to getting stories placed.
I highly recommend Shilika for anyone needing PR support in Web3. What sets her apart is a deep, genuine understanding of blockchain, not just the buzzwords. Her network is outstanding: outlets that once felt out of reach became regular coverage, both in crypto and mainstream tech media. If you're in Web3 and want PR that actually delivers, Shilika is the one to call.
Work with Shilika
Two ways in. Send the intent form and I reply within 24 hours with a quick read on your press footprint, or book a 30-minute call and we plot it live.